coincidental

adjective

co·​in·​ci·​den·​tal (ˌ)kō-ˌin(t)-sə-ˈden-tᵊl 

1

: resulting from a coincidence

a coincidental resemblance

2

: occurring or existing at the same time

coincidental deaths

Synonyms

• coetaneous
• coeval
• coexistent
• coexisting
• coextensive
• coincident
• concurrent
• contemporaneous
• contemporary
• coterminous
• simultaneous
• synchronic
• synchronous

Examples of coincidental in a Sentence

The fact that he and his boss went to the same college was purely coincidental.

the nearly coincidental deaths of Princess Diana and Mother Teresa

Recent Examples on the Web

Whether the singles were planned or coincidental, the dual release has fans tuned in. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 20 June 2025

There’s a coincidental yet meaningful connection between two of this summer’s buzziest movies. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025

On that 27th launch, the rocket lofted 27 Starlink craft — a bit of synchronicity that doesn't seem coincidental given the number of payloads on Flight 28. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 13 May 2025

Thorn says that, while coincidental, the two acquisitions happened on separate timelines. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 12 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

coincident + -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for coincidental

• developmental
• environmental
• experimental
• intersegmental
• nongovernmental
• transcontinental
• unsentimental
• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental

Kids Definition

coincidental

adjective

co·​in·​ci·​den·​tal (ˌ)kō-ˌin(t)-sə-ˈdent-ᵊl 

1

: resulting from a coincidence

a coincidental resemblance

2

: occurring or existing at the same time

coincidentally

-ˈdent-lē

-ᵊl-ē

adverb